Meet the wild horses and find out lots of information, including how they became wild, how they communicate, the difference between a wild horse and a domesticated one, and how their habitats are threatened.

An exciting, easy to read series, with hilarious cartoons, that tell the story of Australia. Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Fair dinkum series
(8 books)

French, Jackie & Sheehan, Peter (ill)

7762

Fairy four-eyes

A star ballerina doesn't want to wear glasses with her tutu or dance with the only boy in ballet class who is new and who has become the teacher's favourite.

Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books and up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the online booklists for the PRC ID of the individual books in this series.

Series
Fairy realm series
(12 books)

Rodda, Emily

1634

Fairy realm: the charm bracelet

One night, Jessie discovers an amazing secret that leads to a magical Realm. Jessie must learn her grandmother's secret and help save the creatures of Realm.

The Realm needs her again because the griffins that guard the treasure house are out of control. But when the flower fairies follow Jessie out of the Realm, she is not sure she can protect them from the dangers of her own world.

Jessie's grandmother senses something wrong in the Realm, gnomes that grow the fairy-apple trees are in trouble, and not even the Queen can help them. Jessie and her friends must find out what's wrong and help the gnomes.

Jessie is chasing a rainbow, she's got to get to the end before it fades, or she may never get home. There are the Rainbow Fairies, who desperately need Jessie's help to find a lost magic treasure or they'll never get back to the secret garden.

The magical world has a terrible problem, a plague of mischievous Peskies. A wild wind has brought the tiny creatures down from the hills. They're making life in the Realm impossible and eating up all the magic.

A human child has become lost in the Realm and it's up to Jessie to find her. With the help of the magical Rainbow Wand, Jessie sets off, only to discover a secret that threatens the peace and safety of the Fairy Realm.

Every year the Realm has a great festival, called the Night of Wishes, when Queen Helena puts on the precious Star Cloak and is able to grant wishes. This year, though, the night before the festival, Giff the elf has accidentally damaged the cloak.

The evil creatures of the Outlands are planning an attack. So Jessie must make an impossible decision, either to save the human world, or the Realm. She knows she can't save both but she hasn't counted on the help of the powerful unicorns.

For Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, life hasn't been a fairytale. After the mysterious disappearance of their parents, they begin to unravel a mystery that reveals a family secret. They are descendants of the Brothers Grimm, whose famous book of fairytales is actually a history book.

ISBN 9781741690675

Series
Sisters Grimm series
(1 of 7)

Publisher Scholastic Australia, 2008

Buckley, Michael & Ferguson, Peter (ill)

14119

Fall of Fergal, The

When Le Fay McNally wins a typing competition in London, it is the start of a great adventure. Little does she know that it will lead to the salvation of her father and the end of her brother, Fergal.

ISBN 9780571210695

Series
Unlikely exploits series
(1 of 3)

Publisher Faber & Faber, 2002

Ardagh, Philip

5078

Fall, the

Sam is staying with his crime reporter father as he recovers from a knee operation when he is woken shortly after 2am by loud voices arguing in the flat above. Curious he opens the window to hear more clearly when suddenly a man-sized shape falls the six floors to the garden below. Sam goes to his dad's room to wake him, only to discover that he is gone. Fearful that it may be his father lying in the garden he struggles on his crutches downstairs only to discover that there is no one there. But someone is watching Sam and now Sam is in danger too.

Set thirty years ago, a dustman's large family all had various ways of entertaining themselves, despite the family's lack of money.

ISBN 9780141329673

Publisher Puffin UK, 2010

Garnett, Eve

1847

Family with two front doors, The

Nomi is one of nine children living in Poland in the 1920s. Their family is so large, they need to live across two apartments. Their father is a Rabbi and there are many customs to follow, many revolving around food. But, the biggest adventure of all is when big sister Adina is told she is to be married, at the age of fifteen, to someone she has never met. Based on the author's real family, the Rabinovitches dance, laugh and cook their way through an extraordinary life in 1920s Poland.

Mrs Pavlich tries to convince Sophie that being famous isn't a job but Sophie and several other students don't think this is right. After all, they have seen plenty of people who are famous for doing nothing in particular. When Sophie gets a chance to go on her favourite TV game show, Mega Match, and gets close to winning, she has to make a choice.

Famous Australians presents short biographies of people who have made notable contributions to society, and who have helped make sport and children's literature such important and popular aspects of Australian culture!

Famous Australians presents short biographies of people who have made notable contributions to society, and who have helped make sport and children's literature such important and popular aspects of Australian culture.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Famous five series
(23 books)

Various

5857

Famous five versus the black mask

Another famous five adventure written by Claude Voilier after Enid Blyton ceased to write Famous Five adventures, translated from the French into English. The five are back on holidays and involved in yet another mystery aboard a Mediterranean cruise liner.

For Famous Five fans of all ages, this book is an interesting mix of fact and fiction. Find out how to survive a shipwreck, pack a rucksack, crack a secret code, use interrogation skills and find a secret passage plus an unsolved mystery from the past. A nostalgic look at the Five will appeal to older fans as well.

ISBN 9780340970836

Publisher Hodder Children's Books (UK), 2008

Blyton, Enid

28346

Famous horse snatched

When a famous racehorse is stolen from Zac's uncle, Zac and Hannah are in hot pursuit, tracking down the thieves who are trying to pull a fast one on the racing world. Follow the clues and the red herrings, collect the evidence and check out the suspects to solve the crime of the missing racehorse.

Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books and up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the online booklists for the PRC ID of the individual books in this series.

Series
Fantastica series
(8 books)

Various

17014

Fantastica: ghost ship

Orphaned children of the King and Queen must fight to rescue the people of the star lands, now flooded by the evil Emperor Flood.

Ferdor, a magician, has been hired to find Saxten and trap him, using his friend Lily as bait. But he has not counted on the loyalty of Dargo, the only wolf among all the creatures of the forest who is deaf to Severo's treachery.

A painting in Saxten's house unsettles him, making him feel watched. He is forced to flee through the painting into another world, the kingdom of Drumminor, where evil is everywhere and he is the only possible saviour.

Asa and Rollo are the royal children of the Star Lands. Emperor Flood, the court magician, has usurped the power of their parents. With loyal friends and their shape-shifting abilities, they must pit themselves against Flood to reclaim the kingdom.

Asa and Rollo decide to try to find out the fate of their parents. Flood captures Northseeker and the children are separated. They follow the ship to Flood's Castle Crag, where the final mystery awaits.

An adventure, fantasy series with tongue-in-cheek characters and situations.Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Far-flung adventures series
(3 books)

Stewart, Paul & Riddell, Chris (ill)

1657

Fat and juicy place, The

At the back of Jack's school is a special place. He can't tell anyone except his mate, Lizard, about all the things that can happen there. When Jack meets the mysterious Birdman, he learns secrets about the past that he just can't tell anyone.

How much do you know about Australian animals? Have you ever heard of the Pobblebonk who lives underground? Or how about the deadly Assassin Bug? Or maybe you are familiar with Boyd's Forest Dragon? These are just some of the weird and wonderful but 100% real animals you will meet in Faunaverse. A collection of poems aimed at educating readers about Australia's unknown and misunderstood wildlife. The poems are loaded with facts and information, perfect for curious minds of all ages. Poems are accompanied by beautiful wildlife photography by the authors.

ISBN 9780994558107

Publisher Fremantle Press, 2016

Dudley, Alexander & Sullivan, Jane

53305

Feathered soldiers

Pigeons may be taken for granted but they have played a very important part particularly for Australia during World War II. One pigeon flew sixty-four kilometres in fifty minutes through a storm to save a shipload of ammunition. Amusing drawings highlight fascinating facts and true stories in this illustrated tribute to Australia's wartime messenger pigeons.

When a mysterious flying box arrives at Fergus' window with a message from his Uncle Theo, the boy learns that he is in danger and that his uncle is sending help. Help is what Fergus needs when the clipper ship that serves as his school disappears with the other students on board and the teachers are not quite what they seem. Fergus will need to be brave and resourceful to rescue his friends.

ISBN 9780385750882

Series
Far-flung adventures series
(1 of 3)

Publisher Random House Australia Pty Ltd, 2006

Stewart, Paul & Riddell, Chris (ill)

5920

Ferret attack

Harry and Jesse use their time machine to play a dastardly trick that involves Killer, the ferret. The joke backfires when Killer starts to grow and grow as a reaction to time travel, causing floods and mayhem. Harry and Jesse had better work out a way to make this right before they do irretrievable damage to their school and their fifth class colleagues.

Gwin is a Fetcher. With her Papa and blind twin brother, she travels the countryside, bringing joy, through song, acrobatics and story, to the downtrodden people. But, since her mama died, it's been hard to keep the joy alive. Fetchers have always been hunted by the Devouts for preserving the old ways. When the devious Brother Poosk captures her papa, Gwin must do her utmost to rescue him, whatever the cost.

Figgy and Nana love to talk about their future. Nana wants to be President of Ghana. Deciding on a career isn't as easy for Figgy but, then, she lands the role of a lifetime as an actress in a film. When Figgy's Mama shows up, sick and expecting a baby, and Nana's father takes him away, Figgy has more important things to think about, and some growing up to do.

Figgy has two problems. One is her name. Nobody in the whole country has that name. The other is that her Grandma Ama is ill and needs special medicine. Figgy can't do much about her name but she can do something for Grandma Ama. She will go to America and bring back the medicine and Kwame, her special goat, will go with her.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Figgy series
(3 books)

Various

43460

Figgy takes the city

Figgy and her friend Nana win scholarships to attend school in Ghana's big city Accra. The city is exciting and full of adventures and new friends, but Figgy and Nana also find a city that is sad and scary.

From the dogfights of the First World War to top secret missions flown by the latest stealth fighters, this book reveals the inner workings of the fastest, deadliest machines ever made.

ISBN 9781474919135

Series
Usborne beginners plus series
(16 books)

Publisher Usborne Publishing Ltd, 2012

Brook, Henry & Roots, Adrian (ill) & Fox, John (ill)

35563

Fighting stingrays, The

Charlie, Masa and Alf are best mates - loyal and adventurous. They're the Fighting Stingrays. In between school, swimming and fishing on idyllic Thursday Island, they have a ripper time role-playing bombing missions and other war games. But when Japan enters World War II, the Fighting Stingrays are told that one of their own is now the real-life enemy. Drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the Torres Strait, their friendship and loyalties are tested as the threat of invasion looms closer.

Go behind the camera to find out how films are made and who makes them, from the greatest animators to the most talented set designers. Explore different genres and movie styles from westerns, musicals and sci-fi to cult movies and documentaries. Take a trip from Hollywood to Bollywood and see what makes different world cinema styles unique.

ISBN 9781405312806

Series
Eyewitness series
(36 books)

Publisher Dorling Kindersley, 2006

Bergan, Ronald

18500

Film and fiction robotics

Learn about robots in film and fiction and making your own robot movie.

ISBN 9781420205558

Series
Robots and robotics series
(2 of 6)

Publisher Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 2007

Hyland, Tony

28603

Final lap, The

Mitchell Grady and Travis Fisk are going head to head. The swimmers have mounted the blocks. The starting gun sounds. I wonder who will be in front in the final lap.

Depicts the story of a soccer team and their quest to make the finals. A new, enthusiastic coach is enlisted, who employs coaching tactics that a number of team members and supporters believe are too rough and inappropriate.

Finding Gobi is the ultimate story of hope and friendship - proving time and time again, that dogs really are 'man's best friend'. In 2016, Dion Leonard, an ultramarathon runner, stumbled across a little stray dog while competing in a gruelling 155 mile race across the Gobi Desert. The pup earned the name 'Gobi' as she went step for step with Dion, keeping pace with him for nearly 80 miles. What Gobi lacked in size, she made up for in heart. Dion had always focused on winning, but as he witnessed the incredible determination of this small animal, he felt something inside him change. This is a story of a life changing friendship between one man and a little stray dog.

In search of Serendipity, Tuesday and her faithful dog Baxterr find themselves on a very dangerous mission. They enter the magical world where stories come from, a mysterious and unpredictable world, full of real danger and heart-stopping adventure. Tuesday will need all her wit, courage, perseverance and imagination in order to get to The End and be reunited with the people she loves.

It is spring in the valley and the Moomins are ready for adventure. Moomintroll and his friends Snufkin and Sniff, find the Hobgoblin's top hat, all shiny and new, and just waiting to be taken home. However, they soon realise that this is no ordinary hat. It can turn anything, or anyone, into something else.

Imagine you have only one person in the world to love and take care of you and that person has a dangerous secret. Roy and his brother Joe Dilly, blessed with the talent of horse whispering, try to find a home in America's deep south.

ISBN 9780746065082

Publisher Usborne Publishing Ltd, 2005

Philbrick, Rodman

13999

Fire within, The

When David moves in with Liz and Lucy, he discovers hand crafted, clay dragons that come to life and have magical powers. David's personal dragon inspires him to write a story about the adventures of their local squirrel population.

ISBN 9781841215334

Publisher Orchard Books, 2001

d'Lacey, Chris

28391

Firebird mystery, The

London, a city of fog and snow, filled with airships, steamcars and metrotowers soaring into space. Jack is an orphan, who becomes the apprentice detective to Ignatius Doyle and is plunged into a mystery of past and future.

In this picture book autobiography, Ron Jackson describes his eventful childhood as one of thirteen children in a stockman's family living in isolated Balranald. He discusses home schooling, catching rabbits, and collecting firewood in a homemade boat.

Peter is thrilled to be going to Greenland where his father studies climate change. But, on the ice cap, Peter is troubled by visions that both frighten and entice him. Thea has never seen the sun. Her people, suspected of witchcraft, retreated to a secret world deep within a glacier. As Thea dreams of a way back to the surface, Peter's search for answers takes him to her hidden world.

Find out about the culture, traditions, laws and ways of life of the first peoples in Africa - the Baka of Cameroon, the Samburu of Kenya and the Tuareg of the Sahara. Includes photographs, fact boxes and quotes from elders.

ISBN 9781420268010

Series
First peoples series
(6 books)

Publisher Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 2009

Sertori, Trisha

19450

First peoples of Asia

Find out about the culture, traditions, laws and ways of life of the first peoples in Asia - the Ainu of Japan, the Bali Aga of Indonesia and the Karen of Burma. Includes photographs, fact boxes and quotes from elders.

Find out about the culture, traditions, laws and ways of life of the first peoples in Europe - the Basques of the Pyrenees, the Macedonians of the Republic of Macedonia and the Roma of Europe. Includes photographs, fact boxes and quotes from elders.

ISBN 9781420268027

Series
First peoples series
(6 books)

Publisher Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 2009

Sertori, Trisha

19250

First peoples of Oceania

Find out about the culture, traditions, laws and ways of life of the first peoples in Oceania - the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, the Papuans of New Guinea and the Maoris of New Zealand. Includes photographs, fact boxes and quotes from elders.

Find out about the culture, traditions, laws and ways of life of the first peoples in the Americas - the native Americans of the United States, the Ashaninka of South America and the First Nations of Canada. Includes photographs, fact boxes and quotes from elders.

ISBN 9781420267983

Series
First peoples series
(6 books)

Publisher Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 2009

Sertori, Trisha

15190

First peoples of the Arctic

Find out about the culture, traditions, laws and ways of life of the first peoples in the Arctic - the Sami of Sapmi, the Unangan of the Aleutian Islands and the Inuit of Greenland and Canada. Includes photographs, fact boxes and quotes from elders.

ISBN 9781420267976

Series
First peoples series
(6 books)

Publisher Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 2009

Sertori, Trisha

First peoples series

Non-fiction series about traditions, cultures and laws. Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
First peoples series
(6 books)

Sertori, Trisha

71275

First settlement and exploration

Details why the First Fleet came to Australia and the hardships faced by convicts and free settlers. Follows the early explorers, Blaxland, Lawson, Wentworth, across the Blue Mountains.

When Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother go digging in the gravel pit, the last thing they expect to find is a Psammead, an ancient Sand-fairy. Having a Sand-fairy for a pet means having one wish granted each day. But, the children don't realise all the trouble that wishes can cause.

ISBN 9780140367355

Publisher Puffin Australia, 1996

Nesbit, Edith

22546

Five children on the Western Front

The sequel to 'Five children and It' is set on the eve of the First World War. The five children have grown up and the war will change their lives for ever. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories until he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war but, this time, the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose.

ISBN 9780571310951

Publisher Faber & Faber, 2014

Saunders, Kate

5350

Five fall into adventure

Julian, Dick and Anne are really worried. George and her devoted dog, Timmy, have just disappeared. Not only that, somebody has broken into Kirrin Cottage. They wonder if there could be a connection.

There's a thief at Kirrin Cottage! The Famous Five think they know who it is, but they need to prove it! The discovery of an old map and very unusual hiding place is all they need to get to the bottom of this mystery and uncover the true culprit!

The famous five wonder if anyone would deliberately lure somebody on to treacherous rocks on the Cornish coast. Somebody is flashing lights from the old tower on stormy nights and the five sense danger.

ISBN 9780340796269

Series
Famous five series
(12 of 23)

Publisher Hachette Children's Books, 2001

Blyton, Enid

6238

Five go off in a caravan

A caravan holiday for the Famous Five is bound to be an adventure! And when they stumble across a circus troupe, the gang are thrilled. But some of the circus people have more sinister plans than just clowning around.

When Dick is woken by a light flashing through his window, he is puzzled. Perhaps someone is trying to send him a coded message. And when the famous five hear of an escaped convict in the area, they are on red alert.

The bearded Barboozul family are the new stars of Fizz's circus. Their act is full of magic, mystery, fear and fun. And, it's nice to have another boy around, even if he is a bit hairy round the chin. But, then things start going wrong. The lion loses his dentures. The clowns lose their noses. The Ringmaster loses his temper. And, the circus is about to lose its licence. Fizz must find out who or what is to blame, and save the day.

ISBN 9781408835210

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2014

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

5426

Fizzlebert Stump and the girl who lifted quite heavy things

It's the great Circus of Circuses competition and Fizzlebert Stump does not have an act. He's no longer the Boy Who Puts His Head In The Lion's Mouth (the lion retired) and putting his head in a crocodile's mouth instead just didn't work out. Fizz needs to find himself a new act, and reunite his friend, the Bearded Boy, with his long-lost parents. Luckily, the strongest girl in the world is there to help.

ISBN 9781408853313

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2015

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

20610

Fizzlebert Stump and the great supermarket showdown

It's a disaster when the ringmaster sells Fizz's circus to the mysterious Mr Pinkbottle. All the acts who aren't fired are forced to work in his supermarket. Not an easy task at all if your only skill is plate-spinning or being a trapeze artist, or indeed a sea lion. It's up to Fizz to find a way to save them all.

ISBN 9781408869451

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2016

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

Fizzlebert Stump series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

17394

Fizzlebert Stump: Boy who cried fish, The

Fizzlebert Stump lives in a circus. When his friend, Fish the sea lion, goes missing, Fizz tracks him down to the Aquarium, with its piratical owner Admiral Spratt-Haddock, invisible octopus, and colour-coded fish. But, the Aquarium has problems of its own. Fish (not Fish the sea lion, fish. Keep up) are going missing, and the Admiral blames the circus. Fizz must try to solve the mystery, avoid an over-enthusiastic crocodile and find his friend.

ISBN 9781408842461

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2014

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

21308

Fizzlebert Stump: Boy who did PE in his pants, The

Fizzlebert Stump lives in a circus. He is usually found training to be a strongman or being taught history by a magician or playing football with a sea lion. But, not today. After being lost in the woods and mistaken for a very rude girl, here he is, at the back of the class confusing the teacher. Rather than being forced to sit up straight and pay attention, Fizz just wants to find his way back to the circus.

ISBN 9781408853399

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2016

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

31383

Fizzlebert Stump: Boy who ran away from the circus (and joined the library), The

Fizzlebert Stump lives in a travelling circus. He hangs around with acrobats, plays the fool with clowns, and outs his head in a lion's mouth every night. But it can be a bit lonely being the only kid in the circus. So, one day, Fizz decides to join a library and that's when it all goes terribly wrong.

ISBN 9781408830031

Series
Fizzlebert Stump series
(6 books)

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2012

Harrold, A F & Horne, Sarah (ill)

14207

Flags and emblems of Australia

A reference book containing detailed information, colourful illustrations and facts about Australia's historic coat of arms and the interesting animal, bird and flower emblems of the States and Territories.

Twelve year old Daniel, a student at Glenfield High School, wins a place in the New Zealand Warrior's rugby league team and becomes the youngest ever player in the history of the game. Daniel's secret will make him a media sensation but being a league superstar has its downside.

Tonight is the night. The family has to flee. Set in biblical times, a small family sets off across a desert in search of refuge from persecution in their own country. Beset by heat and thirst, and threatening tanks, they travel towards a refugee camp and safety, while they wait for asylum in another country. An ancient story becomes a fable for our times.

Ella meets an emotionally unstable pixie and discovers she is the only one who can save the magical kingdom of Magus.

ISBN 9781741690866

Series
Flitterwig series
(1 of 3)

Publisher Scholastic Australia, 2008

Cullen, Edrei

Flitterwig series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Flitterwig series
(3 books)

Cullen, Edrei

137

Flock of blats, A

This is an intergalactic adventure with unexpected characters and events.

Fantastically cynical picture book exploring Flood's everyday life and family history. The more you know about traditional vampires, warlocks, literary monsters and B-grade horror movies, the more you will enjoy it. Be prepared to use your brain to solve the riddles and the dictionary to get all the jokes.

ISBN 9781864719420

Publisher Random House Australia Pty Ltd, 2009

Thompson, Colin

35957

Floods: better homes and gardens, The

After years on the run, the Floods are coming home to Transylvania Waters. And just in time too. Since Nerlin and Mordonna fled, things have gone from worse to much worse. King Quatorze has bled the country dry. He's even sold everyone's shoelaces. It's time for life with a lot less cabbage and a lot more chocolate. But, first, the Floods have to get rid of the old king.

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident. Ulysses, the squirrel, never saw the vacuum cleaner coming. Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book, Terrible Things Can Happen to You, steps in to save him. Ulysses now has powers of strength, flight and misspelled poetry. Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a spacious heart.

ISBN 9780763676711

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2015

DiCamillo, Kate & Campbell, K G (ill)

12772

Florence Nightingale: the lady of the lamp

Florence Nightingale's intelligence, determination and bravery made hospitals cleaner and safer, and saved countless lives through her work. This provides an insight into her life.

ISBN 9780750240185

Publisher Hodder Children's Books (Australia), 2003

Barnham, Kay

138

Flour babies, The

Simon and his classmates have to take part in a science project that involves taking care of a six pound bag of flour - a pretend baby.

ISBN 9780140361476

Publisher Penguin Books Ltd, UK, 1994

Fine, Anne

83210

Flower, The

Brigg, a sad-looking kid, lives in a grey building and works in a grey library in a cold, colourless city. Dangerous books are kept in the library. When Brigg finds one of these books and sees pictures of beautifully coloured things called flowers, he wonders what it might take to fill a whole city with flowers.

ISBN 9781846430718

Publisher Child's Play International Ltd, 2006

Light, John & Evans, Lisa (ill)

15130

Fly a Rebel Flag, the battle at Eureka

The diggers were fed up. Ever since the gold rushes began, police had hounded them about their licences. The diggers of Ballarat took up arms, built a stockade and swore to defend themselves. That twenty minute battle changed Australia forever.

Chelsea is the hardest worker in her gymnastics club and she's determined to make it. But, new girl Telia has more natural talent and Chelsea is jealous. She feels awful because she actually likes Telia. And, it's not only envy that is bothering Chelsea. She's got family issues and her school friends are acting weirdly. It's time for Chelsea to figure out what's really important and, maybe, take a leap into the unknown.

Twenty stories about how the world began and the events that followed. They are based around a host of characters, including Australian animals, non-native animals, spirits, planets, the sun and moon, and humans. The title story, The Flying Emu, tells of a beautifully-coloured emu who learns about vanity and immodesty when he and his friends race to the sun.

Jesse Harrison and Harry Harvard have a new best friend, Rocky Rockman has left his prehistoric cave and is living in their tree house. He also goes to Average Primary School and, for the first time ever, Jesse and Harry are disappointed when the bell rings to end the school day. But, trouble really starts when Rocky's pet, prehistoric bird arrives and Principal Dorking calls in Captain Crash.

A planet covered in fog, Earthnet agents and alien life forms. The Arkies must survive all these dangers.

ISBN 9781420211726

Series
Out of this world series
(2 of 16)

Publisher Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 2007

Odgers, Sally & Thomas, Georgina (ill)

1739

Foggy

Little Bay Village has a gigantic problem and it needs a wizard to solve it. When Meg and Russ are given the desperate mission to find the wizard known as Foggy, they find that he may be more trouble than he's worth.

Gary Lineker, who captained his national team, played in two World Cups and is a TV commentator, shows beginners all the techniques of football and leads young players through the rules, essential skills and special team tactics.

ISBN 9780751327793

Publisher Dorling Kindersley, 2000

Lineker, Gary

9144

Football

You might be surprised to discover where football originated and just how old it is. Be an interactive eyewitness to one of the world's favourite sports, find out about star players, how the rules have changed over the years and the drama of the World Cup.

ISBN 9781405353823

Series
Eyewitness series
(36 books)

Publisher Dorling Kindersley, 2010

Hornby, Hugh

8576

For keeps: Treasury of stories, poems and plays, A

A treasury of stories, poems and plays celebrating one hundred years of The School Magazine. Discover some of the finest writing and illustration from the pages of the longest running children's magazine in the world. Meet larrikins and chatterboxes, brave hearts and lost souls, best mates and wise elders. Encounter ghosts and fairies, monsters and aliens, a cranky parrot and a talking carrot.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
For sale or swap series
(5 books)

Brugman, Alyssa

567911

Forest, The

A book about the journey of life, from our wide-eyes of childhood through the tangles and brambles, into our end.

When Chloe visits her Grandma Poppy, she learns just how close the Second World War came to destroying her family. In 1941, Poppy lived in Darwin, far from the war. When Japan attacked, everything Poppy held dear was threatened. Her brother was taken prisoner-of-war and her home town became a war zone. Poppy and her mother fled to Sydney, only to find that the danger followed them there.

Mum's gone away and Dad has to look after the kids. He's got a list of things to do. When he is picking up milk for his children's cereal, a wild and crazy story unfolds.

ISBN 9780062224071

Publisher HarperCollins US, 2013

Gaiman, Neil & Young, Skottie (ill)

1919

Forward march

On ANZAC Day in Australia, people of all ages and nationalities gather at war memorials for the dawn service and line city streets to watch the march. This national day of mourning and commemoration honours the men and women who returned from war, and those who did not.

Find out what a fossil is, how they are classified and how to start a collection. The book provides photographs and annotations for over 500 invertebrate, vertebrate and plant fossils to make it easy to recognize and place a fossil in its correct genus. Includes a glossary to help with technical and scientific terms.

ISBN 9780751327960

Series
Eyewitness series
(36 books)

Publisher Dorling Kindersley, 2000

Ward, David

11677

Foul play

Danny Harte is obsessed with two things, football and investigating crimes. So, when England and City footballing hero Sam Roberts is reported missing, the day after Danny saw him being taken, blindfolded, into the bowels of the City FC stadium, he's determined to get to the bottom of it. Danny may be getting into something he can't handle.

ISBN 9780141323671

Series
Foul play series
(1 of 5)

Publisher Puffin UK, 2010

Palmer, Tom

Foul play series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Foul play series
(5 books)

Palmer, Tom

929

Four seasons of Lucy McKenzie, The

The painting of Spring was as bright as a sunny day and the tiny yellow flowers which covered the fields were dancing with the breeze. When Lucy comes closer, she hears a voice calling from the other side and reaches through the painting.

When Amelia's parents decide to reopen an old hotel, she and her new friend, Charlie, quickly discover that there's more to The Gateway than meets the eye. Not only is it creepy, cavernous and run by a cranky caretaker called Tom, but the guests aren't your typical human visitors.

Since moving to Australia with their father, Angus Jack and his sister, Martha, have moved house constantly. They end up living next door to a peculiar old lady called Reafen, who runs a second-hand shop, full of strange and weird objects. To Angus and Martha, Reafen seems harmless enough. But, Reafen draws Angus into her world of ancient feuds, Wild Magick, the secret dealings of vikings and goblins, and all those who have lived in the Old Realm.

A story about an unusual friendship between a dog and a magpie. Magpie's wing is injured in a fire and she can no longer fly. She is looked after by Dog, who is blind in one eye. He wills Magpie to get better and enjoy her life again. The friendship continues until Fox arrives. Seeing the pair cosily together, Fox conspires to separate them.

Dylan, the only boy left in his tiny Welsh village, has no-one to play with and his family's business is going broke. When a mysterious convoy of trucks arrives with a precious cargo to hide in a disused mine, Dylan must save his family.

ISBN 9780330434256

Publisher MacMillan, 2006

Boyce, Frank Cottrell

Francis Bacon series

Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books and up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the online booklists for the PRC ID of the individual books in this series.

Series
Francis Bacon series
(4 books)

Measday, Stephen

1991

Frank Davies and the amazing frog catapult

Frank Davies is in trouble again, at school and at home, but everything changes when the frog turns up. The adventures begin when one huge luminous frog and Frank Davies set out on a mission to destroy one thousand evil giant toads.

What do you do when your cranky-pants grandad builds a time machine and accidentally deleted the whole family? If you're Frankie Fish, you race against the clock to fix it! Twelve-year-old prankster Frankie must team up with his grumpy grandad to save the family after the old man accidentally stops himself from marrying Nanna- and wipes out the whole family. It's all down to Frankie and Grandad to put the past back together again. But can a young prankster and an old crank ever get along? And will Grandad's wonky time machine ever get them home?

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Frankie Foster series
(3 books)

Ure, Jean

17347

Frankie Foster: fizzypop

Ten year old Frankie Foster wants to help, she loves fixing people's problems. But, her help is not always welcome because she can cause the odd total disaster and end up causing chaos.

ISBN 9780007362653

Series
Frankie Foster series
(1 of 3)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2011

Ure, Jean

24821

Frankie Foster: freaks out

Frankie thinks there is something wrong with her friend, Skye. She is determined to find out what is wrong and help her. She has an idea that writing some horoscopes (like those in the newspaper) might cheer her up. Will what they predict in their horoscopes and will they come true.

ISBN 9780007431625

Series
Frankie Foster series
(3 of 3)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2012

Ure, Jean

29095

Frankie Foster: pick 'n' mix

Frankie Foster loves to help people and wants to be a social worker or maybe an aromatherapist when she grows up, She is happy when her mum suggests that a friend's daughter, Emelia, stay for a while as her mum has to go to hospital. Frankie finds out that agreeing to look after Emelia is a lot more work that she imagined and leads to some trouble with her best friends. Wherever Emelia goes, trouble seems to follow. Will Frankie be able to sort out her problems with her friends and keep her promise to help Emelia?

ISBN 9780007362677

Series
Frankie Foster series
(2 of 3)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2011

Ure, Jean

21383

Frankie Fox girl spy: Operation boy band

Agent Frankie Fox is undercover, visiting an international kid's robotics competition. She's investigating the evil Alliance's robot army, when she discovers that the world's number one boy band is brainwashing kids to serve the Alliance. To try and save the day, Frankie will need to solve puzzles, deprogram evil robots and sneak backstage at a concert. But, her best friend won't forgive her if she breaks up the band.

Frankie Fox has realised she is being trained to be a spy. She has a spy manual which helps her learn to solve problems and use cool technology. When Frankie's billionaire inventor dad is kidnapped by a mysterious, evil group, the Alliance, it's up to Frankie to get him back. She'll have to solve mind-bending puzzles and work head-spinning gadgets to do it. Frankie must move quickly from school kid to super spy.

When Jayden is sent to stay with relatives that he hardly knows, he thinks things can't get any worse. But he's wrong. They live in the country, in a town with no skate park. What's worse, they are cactus freaks with a yard full of spiky plants. Then, when Aunty Nina and Uncle Trev buy a new cactus, things get really freaky. The cactus seems to be coming alive.

Brian Hubble becomes the protector of a fairy in the form of his little neighbour, Sebastian, and discovers his talent for writing while starring in a Squeezee commercial. He also discovers how television makes life appear different to reality.

Freddy Tangles is in trouble with everybody, again. New boy, Hugo, initially very popular, has become a bully and turned Freddy's friends against him. Freddy will have to do something spectacular to prove he's no chicken and win back his friends.

Freddy Tangles and his friends are in danger. No one is scarier than the big bully, Sid Malone. Freddy must come up with a plan but this will be difficult because he's even afraid of his little sister.

Frieda, her sickly mother and her father travel from Germany to Australia, looking for a better life. Nervous and excited about Adelaide, a drought-stricken town with hordes of flies and barefoot children, Frieda is keen to make friends. But, as the First World War takes hold, the Germans are now seen as the enemy. Rumours begin to circulate that Frieda's father is a spy. Frieda has her own battles to fight. She begins to wonder whether she should change her name and hide all trace of her culture.

In 1808, Grace and Hannah, are on board the ship, Indispensable, on their way to New South Wales. The girls wonder what their new place will be like. They hear the convict women saying there are giant rats and other strange animals there. When sickness strikes the ship, it seems unlikely that anyone will survive to reach the shores of the new land.

Lara's friendship matchmaking days are over, until things get complicated. The playground is in chaos, kids are arguing and crying all over the place and when a recently arrived refugee students starts in Lara's class, the challenge of finding him a friend is too much for her to resist.

At her school, Lara has a mission to help other children make and keep friends. Lara gives advice and rules for friendships, and is even writing a manual about it. When a new girl comes to school, everything starts to unravel. As Lara embarks on a competition to find a best friend for the most difficult client ever, she comes to see the true value and importance of friendship.

Anya and her older sister Morven are the Princesses of Trallonia. But life is not easy for the royal sisters, especially since their evil step-step-father Duke Rikard has arrived with plans of ruling the kingdom for himself. Worse still, he is a clever and powerful sorcerer whose latest spell has turned Morven's boyfriend Denholm into a frog! While Morven doesn't seem to even care about losing her friend, it's now up to Princess Anya, Ardent the talking royal dog and a magically transformed newt to save both Denholm and the Kingdom from the ambitions of the wicked Duke Rikard. Steeped in fairy tale lore, this book is a celebration of fantasy writing.

The iconic song by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody recounts the story of when Vincent Lingiari and other Gurindji workers walked off the Wave Hill cattle station in 1966. What began as a strike over wages and conditions became an eight year long struggle for the return of traditional lands. Illustrated by Gurindji schoolchildren.

Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books and up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the online booklists for the PRC ID of the individual books in this series.

Series
Fudge series
(5 books)

Blume, Judy

1813

Fudge-a-mania

Peter finds himself stuck on summer vacation for three whole weeks with little brother, Fudge, and Sheila Tubman. Peter may not like Sheila but Fudge plans to marry her. Maximum embarrassment ensues but with lots of laughs.

ISBN 9780330398138

Series
Fudge series
(4 of 5)

Publisher MacMillan, 2003

Blume, Judy

148

Fungus the bogeyman

A strip cartoon book about a miserable Bogeyman called Fungus, his wife Mildew, and son, Mould.

ISBN 9780140542356

Publisher Puffin UK, 1990

Briggs, Raymond

4007

Funny kid for president

Max is the class clown always making everyone laugh. He is running for class president but has no special talents. As the election draws near, Max with the help of his friend Hugo, tries to run a fair and honest campaign. But there are scandals and sabotage. Max decides that being the funny kid may just help him win.

Max is the boy who can make kids laugh. Something terrible has happened and Max seems to have lost his funny! Now Max is the 'Un-Funny Kid' right when he's trying to win the town talent quest! Heckling clowns, kidnapped grandpas, giant dogs called Steve, bungled police operations and the greatest stand-up comedy routine of all time were just some of the things encountered by Max, Hugo, Abby and Duck in this second book of the Funny Kid series.

Tamaya and Marshall walk to and from school together. But, to avoid Chad, the school bully, they decide to go through the off-limits woods. The next day, Chad doesn't turn up at school. No one knows where he is and Tamaya's arm is covered in a burning, itchy wound. A chain of events follows and, as the authorities and the United States Senate become involved, what they uncover might affect the future of the world.